Parametric Curve Rendering for Smooth Map Features
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital mapping applications render curved features, such as roads and polygons, as series of points, leading to jagged appearances due to limited data resolution, which can be improved by using parametric curve representations like Bézier curves for more compact and scalable map data.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that models curved map features as Bézier curves or other parametric representations, allowing for efficient data transmission and rendering at various scales by fitting Bézier curves to digitized map points and extracting appropriate curve points based on device performance and zoom level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If curved map features are represented as series of connected points (polyline), then the data can be stored and transmitted, but the rendering appears jagged and resolution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms curved map features from discrete point representations to parametric curve representations (Bézier curves). This changes the mathematical parameters from a sequence of coordinates to control points that define continuous curves, enabling smooth rendering at any zoom level while reducing data requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent explicitly uses Bézier curves to represent curved map features instead of straight line segments connecting points. This curvature-based approach allows the map features to maintain smooth appearance across different scales, directly addressing the jagged rendering problem.
2Measurement precision
If more digitized points are used to represent curved features, then rendering resolution improves, but data size and transmission requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the data representation from dense point clouds to compact parametric curve definitions. A Bézier curve is defined by only a few control points rather than numerous individual points, dramatically reducing data size while maintaining or improving rendering quality through mathematical curve evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a mathematical model (Bézier curve) that replicates the appearance of numerous data points. The parametric curve serves as an elegant copy or abstraction of the original point data, capturing the essential geometric information with far fewer elements.
3Quantity of substance
If parametric curve data is used to represent curved features, then data compactness and scalability improve, but device complexity increases due to curve rendering requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Bézier curve evaluation algorithms as an intermediary between the compact curve data and the final pixel rendering. This intermediary layer translates the mathematical curve definition into visual output, managing the complexity centrally rather than distributing it across all rendering devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rendering approach from evaluating numerous discrete points to evaluating a continuous parametric curve. This allows the system to generate rendering commands dynamically based on device capabilities, optimizing the balance between data compactness and rendering complexity for different platforms.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a system and method for loading and rendering curved features in a map are described. Embodiments may include a map tool of a mapping or navigation application configured to generate a display for a map that includes one or more curved features (e.g., curved roads or curved polygons). The map tool may be executed in a client/server environment in which a server portion receives digitized map data in the form of polylines, detects a curved feature in the map data by fitting it to a parametric curve, and transmits data representing the parametric curve to a client device for subsequent rendering. The client device may render the curved feature using the received parametric curve data or, dependent on characteristics of the client device, extract data corresponding to points on the parametric curve to generate a triangle mesh for rendering the curved feature at a suitable resolution.